For Immediate Release – December 17, 2014

For More Information Contact – Robyn Kaufman, Executive Director at (573) 874-1995

BCFR Director Honored with Distinguished Service Award

Mark Satterwhite, Director of Life & Work Connections at Boone County Family Resources (BCFR) was recently honored by The Missouri Association of County Developmental Disabilities Services (MACDDS) at their annual fall conference with the “Distinguished Service Award” for his 27-year career in the field of serving people with developmental disabilities.

To be recognized for this award, the recipient of the Distinguished Service Award must have worked in several capacities in the field of developmental disabilities, been employed in the field for at least seven years and must have made a positive contribution to the field.

Mark Satterwhite has a long history of advocacy efforts for people with disabilities; working at BCFR for twenty-seven years and having additional related personal/family and professional experiences prior to joining the agency. Throughout his employment, he’s advocated for equal participation in community life. During his tenure in the Boone County Family Resources Supported Living program, he encouraged consumer leadership and self-determination by facilitating problem solving, choice and decision-making among persons served. Through his current role as Director of the BCFR Life and Work Connections program, Mark and staff provide instruction and support in numerous life skill areas to help persons live independently as possible and enhance their participation in the community.

Mark is not only a leader locally, but on a statewide level in advocacy efforts for people with disabilities. He has made a positive impact in these areas through People First of Missouri, a self-advocacy group for individuals with disabilities. As chapter advisor in Boone County, he’s assisted members develop their chapter from a fledgling group to one that provides statewide leadership and a strong local voice on issues such as transportation and accessibility. Throughout Missouri, Mark assists with retreats and other events to help other chapters develop their potential. His hard work and commitment to this group led to him being selected as the People First Advisor of the Year for the state of Missouri.

Mark is involved in the Show Me Careers Collaborative and the Self-determination and Employment Research Study, both administered by University of Missouri Kansas City’s Institute for Human Development, and both intended to improve employment outcomes for people with developmental disabilities. Mark has also been involved in numerous collaborations including: Coordinating Disability Issues Candidates forums, Congress on Disability Policy, Arc – Missouri Chapter, and Alliance for Full Participation.

“Through these statewide efforts as well as internal agency committees, Mark takes initiative in meeting identified goals, assumes positions of leadership, creatively brainstorms solutions to problems and remains focused on the “why” and how we can further support self-determination and community connection,” says Robyn Kaufman, Executive Director of BCFR. “He is a true asset to BCFR and to the developmental disability community.”

Organized in 1979, MACDDS is comprised of 55 county boards that provide local services for an estimated 36,000 people with developmental disabilities in the state. The organization also provides a forum for member county boards, related private organizations and affiliated public agencies to share information, discuss common problems and rally action in areas of overall concern. MACDDS has made a strong impact on state legislative initiatives involving person with developmental disabilities. BCFR is a member of MACDDS.

BCFR was established by the passage of a special property tax levy in 1976. The levy was increased through a ballot initiative in 1993. The agency offers services through three programs: Supported Living, Life & Work Connections and Family & Community Living Support. The mission of BCFR is to effectively and efficiently use agency and other available resources to enable Boone County residents with developmental disabilities to progress toward normal living and to develop, as far as possible, their capacity, performance, and relationship with other persons.

 

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